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Uses for borax Death Valley borate minerals Borax basicsPure boron is never found in nature because of its strong attraction to oxygen. However, over 100 minerals, called borates, contain boron and oxygen (borate radical, BO) as important constituents. There are two basic types of borate minerals. The relatively rare anhydrous borates, which have no water incorporated into their structure, are found in metamorphic and igneous rock. Hydrous borates, minerals with water incorporated into their structure, form by the evaporation of mineral-rich water (evaporite minerals) on desert playas.
Hydrous borates are relatively soft, white, colorless, or transparent minerals. Ulexite, colemanite, and borax are the most common borate minerals found in Death Valley. Uses for boraxBoron compounds have many household and industrial uses. Boron is a common ingredient of soaps, cleansers, herbicides, soldering fluxes, gasoline antiknock compounds, pharmaceuticals, water softeners, food preservatives, and fire retardants. Boron is also added in the manufacture of glass, pyrex, and porcelain enamels used on kitchen appliances, sinks, bathtubs, stoves, and other products.
Borate Minerals in Death Valley
After H. Majmundar,1985
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